This discussion of values is absolutely fascinating. Are there any
universal human values? There are some drives, instincts probably (e.g.
Driven by Nitin Nohria and Paul Lawrence), and I agree with Ellen's
desire to identify some universal human values. Before even we get to
the question of universal human rights (the Roosevelt 1947 UN
declaration notwithstanding). I'm also thinking of Dawkins' memes,
Brodie's Virus of the Mind, etc. Here are some candidates for universal
human values--or I'd rather call them VABEs (values assumptions beliefs
and expectations about the way the world is or should be):
I have a right to reproduce
I'm right and you're wrong
As a parent I know what's right for my child
I have a right, nee sacred responsibility, to TELL my child
what's right for him (Glasser)
I have a right to punish my child if he/she doesn't do what I
say
Wealth is power.
Wealthy powerful people get the best ... (property, mates,
opportunities)
My way is better than your way (speaking, standing, timing,
hygienics, eating, etc.)
My beliefs are more important than data (Thomas Kuhn)
I invite other candidates...
And perhaps soon we can discuss whether there are any universal human
rights. It seems that nature does not grant any. Only cultures--based
on VABEs. Culture is a set of shared VABEs. Hofstede begins with a short
list... then we can add tons of details about speech, dress, right and
wrong, and on and on. Hence as I said before, I believe (e-prime
language from Ellis), that we need to distinguish between ethics
(groups), legalities, morals (personal) and culture. I think it's the
interplay between them that makes for insights about how to do business
in one place or another. I'm imagining what Ellen's learned by living
in Bulgaria all these years. I was in Cairo for one week and was very
annoyed that I had to pay to pee in the national museum and that the
guards there said no pictures--unless you pay me. Bakshish. Here so
unacceptable, there so "normal."
Respectfully,
Jim
James G. S. Clawson
Johnson & Higgins Professor of Business Administration
Darden GSB, University of Virginia
Box 6550, Charlottesville, VA 22906
100 Darden Boulevard, Charlottesville, VA 22903 USA
Tel: 434 924 7488 Fax: 434 243 7680
Web:
http://faculty.darden.virginia.edu/clawsonj
-----Original Message-----
From: Management Education and Development Discussion
[mailto:
MG-ED-DV@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of egreenberg
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 3:46 PM
To:
MG-ED-DV@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
Subject: my two cents on values
In the cross-cultural lit one definition of (national) deeply held
values
are values that are so ingrained in the culture that a person would be
puzzled or angry if asked about that value. I've been trying to find
such
values, especially something universal. The closest I have come to the
latter is a quote from JFK: "We all cherish our children's futures."
In
Bulgaria students, colleagues and friends agree that a key value is
"family
above everything, followed by friends; no one else counts." Bulgaria is
pretty much homogeneous. I am far too humble to begin to find a value
for
Americans, although I would like to say one of our values is "all men
and
women are equal, at least before the law." For me, there is often a
connection between values and ethics, but not always. I agree with
Carolyn
that values are internal. I consider myself to be pretty ethical, but 11
years into my stay in a corrupt country I finally found myself paying a
bribe to get something to which I was legally entitled. I felt
terrible.
Ellen
Prof. Ellen Greenberg
Sofia University "Kliment Ohridski"
Sofia, Bulgaria